“The evening started well against Bulgaria, when I walked out and sang the national anthem,” said Dawson. “But then I got a bad injury.

“It looked a lot worse at the time and everyone was saying to be prepared for eight months – the whole season. Everyone thought it was my cruciate but, thankfully, it wasn’t. The ankle was worse and it became swollen and I could not get rid of the injury.

“I knew I was struggling and knew it wouldn’t be two weeks. I had to wait for the scans and, fortunately, it was three months.

“Jermain [Defoe] got injured in the next England match a few days later, so it wasn’t a great time for our club manager Harry Redknapp.

“He will probably be a bit apprehensive this week but, as a player walking on the pitch – even for a friendly – I will give it my all.

“For any player, Kyle Walker, David Stockdale or myself, this international game is a chance. For players without too many caps, it’s a great chance.

“We haven’t got much time to train but, if you get the chance, you want to stake a claim for next month against Wales.

Putting on an England shirt is a great honour. Rio Ferdinand is injured and so it’s a chance for someone else to shine.”